The Wilmington Ten: Then + Now

In February 1971, racial tension surrounding school desegregation in Wilmington, North Carolina culminated in four days of violence between white and black residents. The turmoil resulted in two deaths, six injuries, more than $500,000 in damage and a total of 282 years in prison for ten individuals who became internationally known as the Wilmington Ten. After several witnesses admitted to perjury, and the federal appeals court cited prosecutorial misconduct, a powerful movement arose within North Carolina and beyond to demand their freedom. Their convictions were not overturned until 1980.

In hopes of preventing mistakes of the past, it is important to remind ourselves of our own histories. Author Kenneth Janken, who narrates the dramatic story of the group in his book The Wilmington Ten, will be joined by authors Richard A. Rosen and Joseph Mosnier, who penned Julius Chambers: A Life in the Legal Struggle for Civil Rights, to share their experiences, memories and truths about the infamous case. Join us in welcoming these civil rights leaders as they connect their story to a larger arc of Black Power and the transformation of post-Civil Rights era political organizing.

This program will include a brief reception, The Wilmington Ten panel discussion, access to our current exhibition Zun Lee: Father Figure, and a book signing with all three authors.